Ways to manage rheumatoid arthritis pain

Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of disease where the body’s immune system attacks the joints mistakenly creating inflammation wherein the inner lining of the joints thicken causing swelling and rheumatoid arthritis pain. If untreated, this condition of joints can spread to the bones and thereby lead to loss of cartilage, looseness and instability of joints and loss of mobility. Rheumatoid arthritis is called systemic disease as it can affect the entire body system including cardio and respiratory systems. More than 1.5 million people are estimated to be affected by rheumatoid arthritis pain and the ratio is higher among women than men.

Although rheumatoid arthritis is characterized with symptoms like swelling, redness and warmth of joints, specific tests or physical findings are hard to be prescribed for initial stages of rheumatoid arthritis as they are insufficient to confirm the diagnosis. Hence, the diagnosis may be difficult and misleading in early stages since the initial symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are similar to several other diseases. The common forms of diagnosis and outcomes are:

1. Blood tests: Rheumatoid arthritis pain may indicate a high rate of erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR or sed-rate), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, either of which indicate the presence of inflammation in the body.

There is no permanent cure for RA, but early diagnosis and aggressive treatments can help reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis pain and control the related symptoms including damage to body joints and bones. The treatments advised by the doctor or rheumatologist could be in the form of medications, surgery or by making changes to lifestyle and daily routine depending on the severity of the symptoms and duration of suffering. The medications primarily are focused on reducing the inflammation of joints, preventing further damage to body (joints) that could be permanent, improving quality of life and reducing the side effects of rheumatoid arthritis that are both daily and long-term. Some of the treatments for reducing rheumatoid arthritis pain are:

1. Medications:
2. NSAIDs: These nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help in relieving pain and reducing inflammation. These drugs may have side effects like ringing in the ears, abdominal irritation or damage to heart, liver and kidneys.
3. Steroids: These corticosteroids help in relieving acute symptoms of inflammation, pain and to slow down damage to joints. However, side-effects could include bones thinning, weight gain and diabetes.
4. DMARDs: This stands for disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and help in slowing the rheumatoid arthritis process and avoid the permanent damage to the body tissues, they are extremely effective for treatment. These drugs come with side effects like damage to liver and lungs or even suppression of bone marrow.
5. Biologic response modifiers/agents: These are DMARDs that are paired with a non-biologic drug and target particular regions of the immune system which causes inflammation leading to tissue and joint damage. These drugs may, however, augment infections’ risks.
6. Therapies: Suitable exercises can be learnt from a physical or an occupational therapist that will help to maintain the flexibility of joints. Additionally, new ways to perform the daily tasks can be learnt which will put less burden on the joints.
7. Assistive devices: These are certain specially designed devices or tools that can be used alternatively which will ease the work to be done and avoids stress on the painful joints.
8. Chiropractic Treatment: Chiropractors are used in some cases as effective method for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis through chiropractic realignments. However, the risk factor is higher because there will be several manipulations done to the spine which could worsen the rheumatoid arthritis condition.
9. Surgery: Certain surgeries to repair damaged joints may be suggested by the doctor to restore the ability of joints and correct deformities in cases where the medications fail to work.
10. Synovectomy: Usually performed on knees, elbows, wrists, fingers and hips, this is a surgery performed to remove the inflamed lining of the joints that are inflamed (synovium).
11. Tendon repair: The tendons around an inflamed or damaged joint can be repaired with surgery which will then strengthen these joints.
12. Joint fusion: Damaged joints can be surgically fused and realigned in order to stabilize a joint and relieve pain.
13. Total joint replacement: the damaged parts of the joint are surgically removed and a metal and plastic prosthesis is inserted instead.
14. Making changes to lifestyle and daily routine: There are some self-care measures and treatments that will improve management of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis when used in combination with the rheumatoid arthritis pain medications.
15. Regular exercise: Perform exercises based on a doctor’s advice which will help in strengthening the muscles around the joints and reduce fatigue.
16. Temperature variation: Use heat to ease the joint pain and relax the muscles. Cold can be used to reduce muscle spasms and pain sensation with its numbing effect.
17. Reducing stress by relaxing: Learn to cope with pain with some techniques like guided imagery, distraction, and muscle relaxation.
18. Tai chi: This is a form of movement therapy with is a combination of gentle stretches and deep breathing exercises which can be used to relieve life stresses thereby help in reducing and treating rheumatoid arthritis pain.
19. Alternative medicines: Studies have shown that fish oil supplements, certain plant oils can reduce rheumatoid arthritis pain and stiffness, and help in its treatment. However, there are believed side effects of these medicines too. Hence, it is required to get them after a doctor’s consultation.